Kildare property will be used age-friendly housing, not youth centre
Liffey Lodge, Newbridge
CLARITY was provided at a recent council meeting regarding the use of Liffey Lodge, Newbridge, after a councillor argued that it should be used as a youth centre.
The council asserted the property had been purchased with housing funds and with the primary intention of using it for age-friendly accommodation.
Cllr Tom McDonnell brought forward a motion at the most recent meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) proposing that Kildare County Council considers Liffey Lodge, Newbridge “for use as a youth centre for the people of Newbridge”.
Speaking at the meeting, cllr McDonnell claimed that “Liffey Lodge was bought for the youth of Newbridge”.
However, a spokesperson for the council told the Kildare Nationalist that the local authority has always intended to use the property for age-friendly accommodation and facilities for the elderly for the facility whilst also giving consideration to one part of the site for “community-based use”.
Three officials – housing department’s Shirley Farrar, county librarian Gillian Allen, and community department’s Dawn Halpin – issued separate responses to the motion.
Ms Farrar’s response stated that the property is “included in the Architects’ work programme for age-friendly and universally designed dwellings. This is likely to include a community element for older people. A youth centre at this location would not align with the proposed use”.
Ms Allen’s response noted that the building is currently being used by the library service as a temporary facility for Newbridge Library and the library’s headquarters, for at least two years. After this it will be given back to the housing department.
Ms Halpin’s response noted that when the matter of the youth centre was brought up the previous month at May’s MD meeting, it was outlined that the community department is progressing the development of a property on the Athgarvan Road for use as a youth centre. The response added that “the project is advancing through key stages, including energy audits, design development, and ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders. Preparation of the Part 8 application for this site is also progressing steadily”.
Cathaoirleach for the MD Noel Heavey expressed his wish that local youth be catered for in the age-friendly accommodation at Liffey Lodge, saying that contact with young people is important for older people “to age gracefully”.
Cllr Chris Pender opposed the motion, stating that the property was purchased for housing the elderly, and accused cllr McDonnell of spreading misinformation.
However, cllr Pender agreed with cllr Heavey that intergenerational connection at the facility in Liffey Lodge would be beneficial.
A council official present at the meeting stated that “Liffey Lodge was purchased for housing for older people” but added that this “doesn’t preclude” community and youth engagement.
Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer asked the media to provide clarity that Liffey Lodge is for housing for older people, seeking to “end this debate once and for all”.
Cllr McDonnell said that the bungalow on the Athgarvan Road is “way too small” to be an appropriate site for the youth centre.
Local representatives such as Senator Fiona O’Loughlin had called for the site to be used for youth and community use ahead of its’ purchase some years ago, but the council appeared to never have committed to this.
The Kildare Nationalist contacted the council for additional comment. They said the following in a statement.
“Kildare County Council intends on developing a two phased proposal masterplan, to redevelop the Liffey Lodge building and associated lands, in consultation with various stakeholders. The first phase of the proposal will focus on the land at the rear of Liffey lodge (the southeastern end of the site) to provide age friendly accommodation. This age friendly accommodation will provide much-needed right-sizing opportunities in Newbridge, allowing older people to continue living independently within Newbridge … also, as an integral part of the master plan for the site, provision will be considered for a further community-based use to the remaining northwestern end of the site.
“This has always been Kildare County Council's intention for Liffey Lodge.”
